In fall 2018 at The Harman Center for the Arts, The Washington Ballet showcased its range of abilities and depth of versatility in an extraordinary program that payed tribute to the 20th century’s most accomplished American modern choreographers. Contemporary Masters included iconic works by three of the greatest influencers of modern American dance, Mark Morris, Merce Cunningham, and Paul Taylor.
TWB dancers in Paul Taylor's Company B. Photo by XMB Photography.
TWB dancers in Mark Morris' Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes. Photo by XMB Photography.
TWB dancers in Merce Cunningham's Duets. Photo by XMB Photography.
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
Choreography by Mark Morris
Music by Virgil Thomson, Etudes for Piano
…Morris is one of the most prolific and lauded choreographers or his generation.
Duets
Choreography by Merce Cunningham
Music by John Cage, Improvisation III
No modern dance choreographer has ever matched Cunningham when it came to the duet.
Merce Cunningham choreographed Duets in 1980 to an abstract electronic musical score composed by John Cage. With eight separate tracks that are controlled and improvised by audio engineers, each performance is unlike the last as the dancers work to connect to each other’s internal rhythms based on the mood and energy of the music, creating a new work of art every time it is performed.
Company B
Choreography by Paul Taylor
Music by the Andrews Sisters
…the last of the great choreographers.